READ ALONGSIDE THE SOURCE
Okaloosa County BOCC — February 25, 2016 — Agenda Packet — reading text
Part 1 of 25. These parts divide the reading text for browsing; they are not the source document's page numbers.
Agenda Packet — extracted reading text
Machine-extracted OCR text · Review label: Known limitations
Compare this copy with the preserved source. Review labels describe the recorded status of this file; they do not guarantee that the text is error-free. Spacing and line breaks are retained, with long lines wrapped to fit the screen.
Tourist Development Council
1540 Miracle Strip Parkway
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
Regular Meeting http://www.okaloosafl.com
~ Agenda ~
Thursday, February 25, 2016 2:00 PM Emerald Coast Convention Center
Council Members & Staff
Dale E. Peterson Chairman
Thomas Rice Vice-Chairman
Thom Gossom Owner, Best Gurl, Inc. - Mktg & Comm. Firm
Joe Guidry Manager, Ramada Plaza Beach & RV Resorts
Melissa Matern Director of Marketing & Events, The Boardwalk/Bone
Bruce Craul Chief Operating Officer, HarborWalk Hospitality
Honorable Mike Anderson City of FWB Representative
Honorable Jim Foreman City of Destin Representative
Honorable Kelly Windes Commissioner District 5 (Chairman)
Ed Schroeder Director, Tourist Development Department
Lynn Hoshihara TDD Attorney
Greg Stewart County Attorney
Pledge of Allegiance and Welcome (Dale Peterson - Chairman)
Council Member Minute
Attorney Update
Director Update
Public Comments Related to Current Agenda (3 minutes each)
Visitor
a. City of Destin Funding Request
I. Items for TDC Approval/Recommendation
b. Tourist Development Council - Regular Meeting - Jan 13, 2016 2:00 PM
c. Financial Update (Charlotte Dunworth)
d. Cash Carryforward Budget Amendment (Charlotte Dunworth)
e. Peter Mayer Contract Renewal (Ed Schroeder)
f. Beach Accessways Update (Ed Schroeder)
g. Chris Janson Concert (Bill Leaman)
Tourist Development Council Page 1 Printed 2/22/2016
Regular Meeting Agenda February 25, 2016
II. Items for Information Purposes Only - (Speaker)
h. Marketing Update (Ellen Kempner)
i. Marketing Reorganization Update (Ed Schroeder)
j. Sales Update (Sherry Rushing & Tisha Maraj)
k. Coastal Management Update (Erika Zambello)
l. Film Commission Update (Gail Morgan)
III. Items for Information Purposes Only - (No Speaker)
m. Smith Travel Research Lodging Reports (Dec-15)
n. Okaloosa Tax Collector Report (Dec-15)
o. Expenditure Transaction Report
p. Reconciliation of Promotional Reserves
q. Visitor Center Top 10 States
r. Airport Enplanements/Deplanements (Sep-Dec15)
IV. Public Comment (3 minutes each)
V. Next TDC Meeting (Dale Peterson)
Thursday, March 24, 2016 2:00 p.m. Emerald Coast Convention Center
VI. Adjourn (Dale Peterson)
Tourist Development Council Page 2 Printed 2/22/2016
1.b
Tourist Development Council
1540 Miracle Strip Parkway
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
Regular Meeting www.EmeraldCoastFL.com
~ Minutes ~
Wednesday, January 13, 2016 2:00 PM Emerald Coast Convention Center
Council Members & Staff
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Departed
Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Jan 13, 2016 2:00 PM (Items for TDC Approval/Recommendation)
Dale E. Peterson Chairman, Dale E. Peterson Vacations Present - -
Thomas Rice Vice-Chairman, Magnolia Grill Present - -
Thom Gossom Owner, Best Gurl, Inc.- Mktg & Comm. Firm Present - -
Joe Guidry Manager, Ramada Plaza Beach & RV Resorts Present - -
Director of Marketing & Events, The Boardwalk/ Present
Melissa Matern
Bonezzi Development
Bruce Craul Chief Operating Office, Harbor Walk Hospitality Present - -
Honorable Mike Anderson City of Fort Walton Beach Mayor Absent - -
Vacant City of Destin Representative -
Honorable Kelly Windes Commissioner, District 5 Present - -
Ed Schroeder Director, Tourist Development Department Present - -
Lynn Hoshihara TDD Attorney Present - -
Pledge of Allegiance and Welcome (Dale Peterson - Chairman)
Chairman Peterson called the meeting to order at 2:00 PM.
Council Member Minute
Mr. Craul noted the Destin City Council and others around the area have an invocation at the start of meetings,
and wondered why not here. Commissioner Windes stated he is all for it, but noted there are certain procedures.
Mr. Gossom noted it would be necessary to follow procedures for all denominations, but would personally prefer
a moment of silence. Mr. Guidry wished everyone a Happy New Year and was excited to start 2016, so “let’s get
to it!” Commissioner Windes stated it was quite an event at the airport yesterday. Mr. Rice noted there were 400
snowbirds at the Elks Lodge last week and thanked Sherry Rushing. Mr. Peterson noted two new legislative bills
in Tallahassee which would result in dramatic changes to FL Statute 125. He cautioned to remember the original
intent of the statute. Ms. Matern stated 2016 has been great so far and she is excited to see what the year holds.
Attorney Update
None
Director Update
Mr. Schroeder reminded everyone the Fort Walton Beach Mardi Grad parade is this Saturday.
Public Comments Related to Current Agenda (3 minutes each)
None
I. Items for TDC Approval/Recommendation
a. December 10, 2015 TDC Meeting Minutes (Dale Peterson)
Motion: To approve the December 10, 2015 Minutes as presented
RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Rice
SECONDER: Gossom
AYES: Peterson, Guidry, Matern, Craul, Windes
Tourist Development Council Page 1 January 13, 2016
Packet Pg. 3
1.b
b. Financial Update (Charlotte Dunworth)
Ms. Dunworth presented the January 2016 Financial Update.
Motion: To approve the January 2016 Financial Update as presented
RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Rice
SECONDER: Matern
AYES: Peterson, Gossom, Guidry, Craul, Windes
Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Jan 13, 2016 2:00 PM (Items for TDC Approval/Recommendation)
c. Marketing Reorganization (Ed Schroeder)
Mr. Schroeder presented a comparison between Gulf Shores, Bay, Walton, Daytona, and Okaloosa
counties. Mr. Schroeder noted that Okaloosa relies much heavier on an agency than others; others have
local people performing many of the functions. The focus during Phase I is hiring a Deputy Director for
Sales and Marketing, Digital Marketing Manager, Public Relations Manager, and a Sports & Events
Marketing Manager. These four positions will consist of two new positions and reclassification of two
existing positions. The Deputy Director and Digital Marketing Manager positions will require a national
search, but the preference is to keep it local. A seven month contract extension with the Peter A. Mayer
Agency is proposed through the end of the fiscal year to allow proper implementation of the strategic
marketing plan. During January and February, staff will determine whether to issue an RFP for an ad
agency or add additional staff in-house. The TDD staff supports the reorganization, and Mr. Schroeder
has met with the Peter A. Mayer Agency. They graciously received the news and responded
professionally. Commissioner Windes wondered whether a change should be made during a time of
growth. Mr. Craul commented the Emerald Grande has more marketing staff than the CVB. Mr.
Gossom inquired how the counties noted compare based on budget and results. Mr. Guidry questioned
the logistics of making this happen. Commissioner Windes asked what the net impact would be after all
the changes. Mr. Craul noted the need to consider increased revenues as well. Mr. Guidry commented
the hard marketing budget needs to increase.
To recommend to the BCC the additional marketing positions and
Motion 1 of 3:
structure.
RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Craul
SECONDER: Guidry
AYES: Peterson, Rice, Gossom, Matern, Windes
To recommend to the BCC a 7-month contract extension through
Motion 2 of 3: September 30, 2016 with a renegotiated agency contract with the Peter A.
Mayer Agency.
RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Guidry
SECONDER: Rice
AYES: Peterson, Craul, Gossom, Matern, Windes
Mr. Gossom expressed the desire to have as much information regarding this process as possible. Ms.
Hoshihara stated the TDC could appoint 1 member to participate in negotiations or have staff provide
regular updates.
To Appoint Bruce Craul as Liaison and Thom Gossom as back-up Liaison
Motion 3 of 3: to work with TDD staff in contract negotiations with the Peter A. Mayer
Agency,
